Glassware washing machine



GLASSWARE WASHING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1931 4 SheetsSheet l gwuentoz attain;

Feb. 26, 1935. A. R. LOFSTRAND, JR

GLASSWARE WASHING MACHINE Filed June 16. 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 56 AndemR.LofsZmnd,Jh

Feb. 26, 1935. R LQFSTRAND, JR I 1,992,920

GLASSWARE WASHING MACHINE finders RLa lsirand, Jr.

Feb. 26, 1935. A. R. LOFSTRAND. JR 1,992,920

GLASSWARE WASHING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 attommq Patented Feb. 26, 1935 eiizi'sswnnu wasnme MAEwr 1 Anders it. Lofstrand, In,

Washington, D. Q,

assignor to Anders lt llofstrand, Sr. Application June 16, 1931, Serial No. 544,921

21 Claims.

This invention relates 'to a glass ware washing machine and has for its primary objectto provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine by means of which a plurality of glasses may be thoroughly and quickly washed simultaneously and'in a sanitary manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of the class referred to including means to provide a metal to glass contact during the washing or rinsing operation to prevent the breaking or cracking of the glasses on the application of a machine of the character aforesaid wherein the g5 glasses are supported in assembled relation on the tray in such a manner that all portions of the glasses will be thoroughly washed during the immersion of the trayin a body of water, and

further in such a manner that water may readily drain from the glasses, and air may readily enter 7 the same upon removal of the tray from the body of water. 7

A further object of the "invention is to provide 3 a machine of the character aforesaid=wherein a plurality of glasses of varying height may be snugly supported on the tray.

With the foregoing and other objects in view,

the invention consists of the novel construction,

combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more particularly described, and asillustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that the description and drawings are to be considered as illustrative rather than limitative. I

In the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views: a

Figure 1 is a front elevation showing a-machine in accordance with this invention in association with a rinsing apparatus.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the machine...

(Ul. 15l6) w Figure 3 is a horizontal section takenat a point indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional plan showing the glass supporting tray. t

Figure 5 is a top plan of the tank showing the 5 arrangement of the brushes therein.

Figure 6 is a section showing in bottom plan the arrangement of gears for driving the brushes. Figure '7 is a detailed section taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 3. 7

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 1 indicates a tank provided with a partition 2 which divides the tank into a washing compartment 3 and a rinsing compartment 4. Mounted on the tank 1 is a carriage including a 15 rectangular frame 5 provided at its rearward corners with a pair of rollers 6 in rolling contact with a flange 7 on the upper edge of the tank at the rear side of the latter.. At the forward corners thereof, the frame 5 is provided with blocks 8 formed in their lower faces with. grooves 9 slidably mounted on a rib 10 formed on a flange 11 at the upper edge of the tank and at the front of the latter. 1

Carried by the frame 5 are a pair of upright posts 12 having their lower ends secured within bosses 18 formed centrally of ribs 14 extending along the side members of the frame 5. The posts 12 are connected together at their upper ends by means of a bar 15. 1 30 Mounted on the carriage is an elevator which includes a bar 16 disposed beneath the bar 15 v and in parallel relation thereto and formed at its ends with vertically disposed bushings 17 slidably mounted on the'posts 12.' The bar 16 is normally maintainedin the raised position shown in Figures 1 and 2 by means of a pair of cables 18 secured to thebar 16 and extending over pulleys 19 mounted on suitable bearings 20 carried by the bar 15. The cables 18 are attached at their rearward ends to weights 21 which are slidably mounted between pairs of guide rods 22 projecting upwardly from the frame 5. The guide rods 22 are anchored at their lower ends in suitable bosses 23 formed at the ends of ribs '24 projecting from the upper face of the frame 5 at the rear side of the latter. Each of the weights 21 is formed initsside faces with grooves 25 for receiving a'pair of the guide rods 22 therein.

Secured to and depending from the bar 16 are a pair of rods 26 forming parts of the elevator and having their lower ends connected with a tray supporting frame 2'1 which is bodily movable with the elevator. The frame 27 is maintained in fixed relation with respect to the rods 26by means of 55 .frame 31 are a plurality of spaced rods 37 which nuts 28 threaded on the rods above the frame, and similar nuts 29 threaded on the rods below the frame. Slidably mounted on the rods 26 and bodily movable with the elevator is an elongated supporting structure 30 for a skeletonframe 31. The supporting structure 30 includes a pair of oppositely disposed channel members 32 having the cross pieces 33 of-the frame 31 extended therebetween and secured thereto. The lower member 32 is provided with suitable bushings 34 slidably mounted on" the rods 26. The supporting structure 30 is normally maintained in the raised position shown in Figures 1 and 2 by means of coiled. springs 35 which encircle the rods 26 with their ends abutting the bushings 34 and nuts 28. 'Projecting upwardly from the upper member 32 are a pair of handle members 36 which may be grasped for forcing the structure 30 downwardly against the tension of the springs 35 whendesired.

Depending from the cross members 33 of the are connected at their lower ends to cap members 38. The cap members 38 are of rectangular construction having downwardly and outwardly inclined sides formed with recesses 39. The rods 37 are so spaced on the cross members 33 that the cap members 38 are arranged in rows transversely of the frame 31 as more clearly shown in Figure 3. Extending through the recesses 39 of each row of cap members 38 is an elongated brush 40 having end portions 41 thereof bent upwardly and inwardly and secured to the outermost rods 37 to which the cap members 38 are secured.

The rods 37 slidably extend through the cross members 33 and the cap members are normally forced away from the cross members by coiled springs 42 which encircle the rods with their ends in abutment with the cap members 38 and cross members 33.

Carried by the frame 2'7 is a tray 43 for sup porting a plurality of glasses, such as 44. The

tray 43 is formed of metallic material adapted to be slid onto the frame 27 from the front of the latter between flanges 44' at the sides of the frame 27. The flanges 44' provide guides for the tray when sliding the latter onto the frame, and a similarflange 45 at the rear side of the frame 2'? provides a stop for limiting the rearward sliding movement of the tray. v

The tray 43 is formed with a plurality of circular openings 46 arranged in rows transversely of the tray and so spaced that they will be in vertical alignment with the cap members 38 when the tray is in position against the flange 45. A portion of thetray encircling each opening 46 is bent upwardly to provide a horizontally disposed annular holding lip 47 adapted to extend within one of the glasses carried by the tray. Extending transversely across each lip 4'? are a plurality of spaced ribs 48 for preventing the glasses from seating tightly on the tray so as to allow for drainage from within of the glasses. The tray is :further formed with a plurality of openings 49 which are so arranged with respect tothe openings 46 that one of the openings 49 will be disposed between and in-concentric relation to a group of four of the openings 46. The tray is further formed with a plurality of drain openings 50 suitably arranged withrespect to the openings 46 and 49.

Disposed within the washing compartment 3 is a gear housing 51-having a removable bottom plate 52 spaced from the bottom wall of the tank 1 by means of suitable supporting legs 53. Rotatably extending through the top of the housing 51 are a" plurality of shafts 54 having brushes 55' fixedly secured to the upper ends thereof. The shafts 54 are arranged in rows transversely of the housing in such a manner that the brushes 55 will be in vertical alignment with the openings 46 in the tray when the latter is positioned against the flange 45. Rotatably extending through the top of the housing 51 are a plurality of shafts 56 to the upper ends of which are fixedly secured brushes 57. The shafts 56 are so arranged with respect to the shafts 54 that the brushes 57, will be in vertical alignment with the openings 49 in the tray when the brushes 55 are in alignment with the openings 46 in the tray. This arrangement of the shafts places one of the brushes 57 between each groupof four of the brushes 55 as more clearly shown in Figure 5. The brushes 57 are of greater diameter than the brushes 55, and the bristles of the brushes 5'7 overlap the bristles of 'of each row in mesh. In the embodiment shown there are four of such rows of. gears of which the two innermost rows are driven from a gear 59 mounted on a power transmission shaft 60 which is driven from a suitably located motor 61. The outermost of the rows of gears 58 are driven from gears 62 which are mounted on suitable stub shafts 63 and each of which is in mesh with one of the inner rows of gears 58, as well as with one of the outer rows of the gears 58. Fixedly secured to the lower ends of the shafts 56 are gears 64 which are in mesh with gears 65 mounted on certain of the shafts 54 beneath the gears 58 on such shafts. The gears 64 are materially smaller than the gears 65 in order that the shafts 56 will be driven at a higher speed than the shafts 54.

In the operation of the machine, a plurality of glasses, such as 44, are seated in an inverted position on' the tray with the lips 47 of the tray projecting into the glasses. The arrangement just referred to provides a metal to glass contact. A downward force is then exerted on the handle members 36 which causes the supporting structure 30 and frame 31 to be lowered againstthe tension of the springs 35 to bring the cap members 38 yieldingly to abut the tops of the glasses 44 against the action of springs 42.

When the cap members 38 are in the position as stated, the glasses 44 are held centered with respect to the lips 47. The downward force on the handle members 36 is then continued which causes the bushings 17 to slide along the posts 12 whereby the frame 27 is lowered into the compartment 3 with thebrushes 55 extending into the glasses, and with the brushes 57 in contact with the outer faces of each group of four of the glasses. The levelof the water within the compartment 3 is such that the glasses will be entirely submerged in thewater when the frame 27 is lowered into the compartment 3. The rotating brushes 55 thoroughly wash the insides of the glasses after which the pressure on the handle members 36 is released which causes the springs 35 and 42 to expand and release the cap members 38 from their gripping engagement with the glasses. Upon the release of the cap members 38 from the glasses, the latter are revolved with the brushes 55 whereby the outer peripheral faces of the glasses are brought into contact with the brushes 5'? and the b ttoms of the glasses are rotated against the brushes 40. The action of the weights Zlautomatically pulls the elevator to its raised position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, after which the carriage may be slid along the flanges 7 and ll of the tank 1 to position the carriage over the rinsing compartments. When the carriage is positioned over the rinsing compartment, the frame 27 may be lowered there-' into in the same manner as previously described in connection with lowering the same into the washing compartment." Disposed within the rinsing compartment are a plurality of pipes 66 which extend into the glasses, the pipes 68 being connected with a circulating pipe or connected with a pump 68 which is also connectedwith the interior of the rinsing compartment by means of a pipe 69.

Preferably the motor 61 will be automatically controlled by the movement oi frame 27 into and out of the compartment '3. A switch for so controlling the motor is shownconventlonally at "70 in Figurefl, the switch having an arm "1i projecting into the path of the iramez'i for engagement by the latter to start the motor upon the loweringoi the irame. Leading to the switch l0 from a suitablesource oi electricalsupply is a conductor 72, and leading irom the switch '70 to the motor 61 is a. conductor 73. Leading from the motor to the source of supply is a conductor 74, the conductors l3 and '14 preferably being enclosed within a cable 75.

It is thought that the many advantages of a machine in accordance with this-invention will be readily apparent, and although the preferred embodiment of the machine is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in 'the size, shape and arrangement or parts may be made, so long as such changes fall within .the

scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What Lclaim is:- l. A glass ware washing machine comprising, a tank adapted to. contain water, an elevator normally disposed above the tank and movable: downwardly thereinto',- a tray bodily carried with the elevator and adapted to'support a pluralityof inverted glasses, a plurality of rotating brushes extending into the glasses when theelevator is lowered into the tank, a plurality of slidably suspended, tensioned cap members independently movable with respect to the elevator and bodily movable with the latter, and spring controlled pressure applied means supporting said cap members'and connected to and shiftable independently of the elevator for moving said members against the action of the controlling -springs for said means for engagement with the glasses to prevent rotation of the latter during the operation of the brushes on the periphery of the glasses and bodily moving with the elevator when relieved of pressure to release the cap members.

2. A glass ware washing machine comprising, a

tank adapted to contain water, an elevator nor-- vator and adapted tosupport a plurality of inverted glasses, a plurality of rotating brushes extending into the glasses when the support is lowered into the tank, a plurality of rotating brushes in contact with the-outer peripheral faces of the glasses when the elevator is lowered into the tank, a plurality of slidably suspended; tensioned cap members independently movable with respect to the elevator and bodily movable with the latter, and springcontrolled pressure applied means supporting said cap members and connected to ar'idl shiftable independently of the elevator for moving said members against the action oi the controlling springs'ior saidmeans for engagement with the glasses to prevent rotation of the latter during the operation of the brushes on the periphery of the glasses and bodily moving with the elevatorwhen relieved of pressure to release the cap members, said cap members being movable relative to the elevator to disengage them from the glasses when said means is relieved of applied pressure, said glasses snugly engaging those brushes extending thereinto to provide for the rotation of the glasses when the cap members are disengaged therefrom.

3. Aiglass ware washing machine comprising, a tank adapted to contain water, an elevator normally disposed above. the tank and movable downwardly thereinto, a tray bodily carried with the elevator and adapted to support a. plurality of 2 0 relative to the latter and provided with a plurality of cap members slidably suspended therefrom for engagement with the glasses to prevent rotation of the latter when the supporting structure is shifted on the application of pressure thereto, said cap members being vertically movable relative to each other, and individual tension means for and on the cap members to maintain them in engagement with the glasses.

4. A- glass ware washing machine comprising, a tank adapted to contain water, an elevator normally disposed above the tank and movable downwardly ,thereinto, a tray bodily carried with the elevatorand adapted to support a plurality of inverted glasses, a plurality of rotating brushes extending into the glasses when the elevator is lowered into the tank, a plurality of rotating brushes in contact with the outer peripheral faces of the glasses when the support is lowered into the tank, a plurality of slidable suspended, tensioned cap members independently movable with respect to the elevator and bodily movable with the latter, and spring controlled pressure applied means supporting said cap members and connected to and shiftable independently of the elevator for moving said members against the action of the controlling springs for said means for engagement with the glasses to prevent rotation of the the cap members, said cap members being movable relative to the elevator to disengage them from the'glasses when said means is relieved of applied pressure, said glasses snugly engaging those brushes extending thereinto to provide for v the rotation of the glasses when the cap members I are disengaged therefrom, and brush means carried by said spring controlled means and extending through said cap members for engagement withthe bottoms of the glasses.

5. A glass ware washing machine comprising, a tank adapted to contain water, a carriage slidably mounted on the upper edge .of the tank, a vertically movable elevator slidably mounted on the carriage, said elevator-including a support for a plurality of glasses and further including a plurality of cap members movable relative to said support for engagement with the glasses.

6. A glass ware wa gmachine comprising, a tank adapted to con water, a carriage slid ably mounted on the upper edge of the tank, a vertically movable elevator slidably mounted on the carriage, said elevator including a support for a pluralityv of glasses and further including a plurality of cap members movable relative to said support for engagement with the glasses, said tank having an upstanding rib at one 'side thereof, said carriage having its lower face provided with a groove for receiving-said rib and further having a roller for engagement with the upper edge of the tank at the opposite side of the latter from said rib.

7. In a glass ware washing machine, a tray for supporting a, plurality of inverted glasses, said tray having a plurality of openings, an upwardly extending lip encircling each opening for projection into one of'said glasses, and a plurality of ribs extending transversely across each of said lips for abutment with the lower edge of aglass.

8. In a glassware washing machine,a vertically movable tray for supporting glasses in inverted position and formed with openings surrounded by lips for centering the glasses and ribs providing seats for the edges of the glasses at the open ends of the latter, an elevator for and supporting the tray, vertically movable, pressure applied caps engageable with the closed ends of the glasses for centering the latter relative to said openings, vertical cleaning brushes for extension into the open ends of the glasses through the openings in the tray for action on the inner faces of the glasses when the tray is lowered, vertical cleaning brushes for action on the outer faces of the body of the glasses when the tray is lowered, a spring controlled, pressure applied supporting structure for said caps, shiftable independently with respect to the tray and bodily carried therewith, a horizontally disposed cleaning brush common to the closed ends of the glasses supported by the tray, carried by said structure and extending through the cap members, a support common to said elevator and structure, a support common to the vertical brushes, and supporting means common to said supports.

9. In a glassware washing machine, a vertically movable tray for supporting glasses in inverted position and formed with openings surrounded by lips for centering the glasses and ribs providing seats for the edges of the glasses at the open ends of the latter, vertically movable, pressureapplied caps engageable with the closed ends of the glasses for centering the latter relative to said openings,

vertical cleaning brushes for extension into the open ends of the glasses through the openings in the tray for action on the inner faces of the glasses when the tray is lowered, vertical cleaning brushes tally disposed cleaning brush common to the closed ends of the glasses supported by the tray, carried by said structure and extendingthrough the cap members, an elevator common to and for supporting said structure and tray, a common supporting means for the vertical brushes, supporting means for the elevator, and means for simultaneously rotating said vertical brushes.

10. In a glassware washing machine, a vertically movable tray for supporting glasses in inverted position and formed with openings surrounded by lips for centering the glasses and ribs providing seats for the edge of the glasses at the open ends of the latter, vertically movable,

pressure applied caps engageable with the closed ends of the glasses for centering the latter relative to said openings, vertical cleaning brushes for extension into the open ends of the glasses through the openings in the tray for action on said structure and tray, and a carriage supporting said elevator.

11. In a glassware washing machine, a vertically movable tray for supporting spaced parallel rows of glasses in inverted position and formed with openings surrounded by lips for centering the glasses and ribs providing seats for the edges of the glasses at the open end of the latter, spaced parallel rows of vertically. movable, pressure applied caps engageable with the closed ends of the glasses for centering the latter relative to said openings, vertical cleaning brushes for extension into the open ends of the glasses through the openings in the tray for action on the inner faces of the glasses when thetray is lowered, vertical cleaning brushes for action on the outer faces of the body of the glasses when the tray is lowered,

a spring controlled, pressure applied supporting structure for said caps, shiftable independently with respect to the tray and bodily carried therewith, spaced parallel horizontally disposed cleaning brushes common to the closed ends of the glasses supported by the tray, said horizontal brushes being suspended from said structure and extending through the cap members, an elevator common to and for supporting said structure and tray, means for simultaneously rotating said vertical brushes, and a carriage'supporting said elevator.

12. In a glassware washing machine, a vertically movable tray for supporting glasses in inverted position and formed with openings surrounded by lips for centering the glasses and ribs providing seats for the edges of the glasses at the open ends of the latter, vertically movable, pressure applied caps engageable with the-closed ends of the glasses for centering the latter relative to said openings, vertical cleaning brushes for extension into the open ends of the glasses throughthe openings in the tray for action on the inner faces of the glasses when the tray is I lowered, verticalcleaning brushes for action on the outer faces of the body of the glasses when the tray is lowered, a spring contrglled, pressure applied supporting structure for said caps, shift able independently with respect to the tray and bodily carried therewith, a horizontally disposed cleaning brush common to the closed ends of the glasses supported by the tray, carried by said structure and extending through the cap members, tensioning means for and carried by the a closed tter rela brushes applied supporting structure for said shiftable independently with respect to the tray and bodily carried therewith, horizontally disposed cleaning brush common. to the closed ends of the glasses supported by the tray, carried by saidstructure and extending through the cap 3116211" bers, said ribs in connection wit" the lips pro viding means to permit drainage f om the interior oi the glasses, vertically niovably sup-- porting means common to said tray and structure.

14. In a machine for cleaning simultaneously a group of glasses, a tank. provided with pair of water receiving compartmentaone provided with brushing means for contact with the glasses of the group and the other with rinsing means for the glasses of the group, a carriage traveling upon the top of the tank for selective positioning over said compartments, a vertically movable supporting means for the group of glasses, said supporting means supported by the carriage, and a pressure applied spring controlled vertically movable retaining means for the glasses of the group on said supporting means, said retaining means being slidably connected to, bodily shiitable independently of and bodily movable with said supporting means.

15. In a machine for cleaning simultaneously a group of glasses, a tank providing open top water receiving compartment, a carriage mounted upon the tank, brushing means within the compartment for contact'with the glasses of the group to be cleaned, a vertically movable support ing structure for the group of glasses to be acted upon by said brushes, said structure being supported by the carriage and. having apertured metallic means ccntacting'v/ith and centering the glasses of the group in inverted position in metal to glass contact, and a pressure applied spring controlled vertically movable combined position- -'ing and retaining structure for the glasses of the group upon said supporting structure for lowering the group to a. position to be acted upon by the brushes, and said combined positioning and retaining structure being slidahly connected to, bodily shiftable independently of and bodily movable with said supporting structure and provided with brushes for action upon the tops of the inverted glasses.

16. In a glass washing apparatus, the combination with a container for cleansing fluid and article cleaning elements therein, of a tray carrier and a tray thereon, means for supporting the car= rier over the container, said carrier and container being relatively movable to cause the tray to enter the container, said tray having openings through which the cleaning elements pass when the tray enters the container, and a clamping member movably mounted on the tray carrier and inc1uding devices for engaging the articles to be cleaned open ends over and clamping their. "lifltlll. the ope" tugs.

l n a washing the fillil'llllllh tioi 1th a liquid container a plurality of upstanding rotary cleaning elements therein, or" a guide frame above e container, 9. tray carrier frame slidably mounted in guide frame, a tray that reniovably rests on the carrier frame and is movable therewith into and out or the container, said tray having openings through which. the cleaning elements pass, and a clamping frame slidably mounted in the carrier f ame and having yielding cups over the upper ends or the articles to be cleaned and clamp them with their open ends over the tray openings.

18. a glass washing apparatus, the conihination with a container, rotatable upstanding cleaning elements therein and means for rotating said elements, of a guide frame located above the container, a carrier frame vertically slidable in the guide frame, a tray that is mounted in the carrier frame and movable therewith. into and out of the container, said tray having openings through which the cleaning elements pass, means surrounding the openings for positioning thereover the open ends of the articles to be cleaned, means movably mounted on the carrier frame for clamping upon the upper ends of the articles and holding them in place over the openings, and means for elevating the carrier frame.

19. In a glass Washing apparatus, the combination with a container, of upstanding rotatable brushes therein, and means for rotating said brushes, a guide frame located over the container, 2. carrier frame vertically slidable in the guide frame and having a tray support, a tray that rests on the support and has openings through which the brushes pass, upstanding article positioning rims around certain of the openings, said openings permitting the passage of brushes to the interior of the articles placed over the same, the other openings permitting the passage of brushes to operate on the exterior of such articles, a,

clamping frame slida'oly mounted on the carrier frame, and having spring pressed cups for engagement over the articles, and means. for operating the clamping frame to release the articles and permit them to be rotated by the brushes that engage them.

20. In a glass washing apparatus, the-combination with. a container and article cleaning elements therein, of a guide frame above the container, a tray carrier frame mounted for movement on the guide frame to cause a portion of said carrier frame to enter the container, a support for the articles to be cleaned carried by said portion, said carrier frame having guides, and an article clamping device movably mounted on said guides.

21. In a glass washing apparatus, the combination with a plurality of containers, of a trackway extending along the same, a guide frame mounted on the trackway and movable thereon to positions over the different containers, article carrying means'mounted on the guide frame to move downwardly thereon to carry the articles into the containers, and means in said containers for cleansing the articles.

ANDERS R. LOFSTRAND, JR. 

